Modern Day Davids ~ Char Toomey

Hello Waterbrook!

​My name is Char Toomey and I teach Jr. High and High School here at our awesome school. I was recently thinking about how long I have been teaching. I graduated from Bob Jones University in May of 1992. I started teaching that fall, and have been involved in some sort of educational field ever since. I have been a classroom teacher, a substitute teacher, a Sunday School teacher, a Youth Ministry leader, a homeschool mom and a tutor.

​​In every single job, the one thing that never changed, was the fact that I was a student first. I had to learn what my kids were learning if I wanted to be able to teach effectively. I think that holds true in every aspect of our lives. If we want to be successful, we have to be a willing student.

This year I stepped into the role of Director of Student Ministries at Davison Missionary Church. On top of making sure I knew my grammar rules and history facts, I now needed to research and develop weekly Children’s Church lessons. I was humbled by the beauty in the simple truths of God’s Word, and I quickly learned that my Jr. High/High School style of teaching wasn’t going to work with Kindergarteners. I had to do my homework!

While studying the story of David and Goliath, I came across a different approach to teaching this well-loved story. We’ve all heard that God will help us defeat the giants in our lives, but there is much more to this lesson. You see, David was fully equipped for this battle. We know that he was a shepherd and responsible for the care of his father’s flock. We know that he had killed different animals with his sling and was obviously a “good shot.” When we think about his battle with Goliath, we tend to forget that part. David had spent his whole life preparing for this day. He didn’t walk up to Goliath with no clue how to win. He had confidence in his abilities and was willing to trust God to use him.

God reminded me -  that’s what my job really is. I’m preparing modern day Davids to face the giants of this world. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” That’s true for my own life, and the lives of all my students.

History, Math and English are all important disciplines to master, but the goal of Waterbrook has never been only book knowledge. Yes we strive to provide an excellent education for all our kids, but we would fall so short if that was all we were providing. I praise God that I can speak freely about His love and His grace on a daily basis. What a privilege to be able to know God and make Him known.

In a world where Christ has been forced out of education, we can boldly proclaim: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. That whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

​I love our school! Please pray daily for the teachers here at Waterbrook. Pray that we never stop learning. Also pray that we can focus on the true goal of education as we prepare our modern day Davids for the giants they will face.

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